Hyning v. University of Alaska

OPINION

MATTHEWS, Justice.

Jack Van Hyning was hired by the University of Alaska in the capacity of Assistant Professor of Fisheries Biology in June of 1967 for a 12 month term. This contract was renewed in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971. The University’s tenure policy, incorporated into Van Hyning’s contract, provides that if tenure is not granted at the end of a probationary period, not to exceed six years, a terminal contract may be offered to the probationary employee. One who has been denied tenure is thereafter ineligible for full-time employment at the University.

Briefly, the tenure policy…